Items filtered by date: August 2022

There are many different reasons why people can feel heel pain. It can be a result of having Achilles tendonitis, a heel spur, or plantar fasciitis. These are the most common causes, and there are various ways the heel bone can be negatively affected. Heel pain can consist of a stabbing, burning pain, or it may be a chronic dull ache. It may be worse upon waking up in the morning, and walking can be difficult. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. Its function is to connect the heels to the toes, in addition to providing stability to the arch. People who enjoy running or who frequently participate in jumping activities may develop this condition, and it can cause severe pain and discomfort. A heel spur is defined as a bony growth that forms on the back of the heel bone, and it can come from extra bone tissue that can be caused by plantar fasciitis. The Achilles tendon is located in the calf, and it connects the heel to the calf muscles. This tendon can become torn or ruptured from an injury, and cause heel pain. If you are experiencing heel pain for any reason, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer you correct treatment options. 

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Barry University Foot and Ankle Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Beach, and Tamarac, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is among some of the most common conditions that negatively impact the feet. The condition occurs when the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs underneath the foot from the heel to the toes, becomes strained and inflamed. Some individuals might be more at risk than others of developing plantar fasciitis or getting worse symptoms of the condition. Cyclists and bikers fall into this category. Some cyclists incorrectly position their feet in the pedals when cycling, which can cause plantar fasciitis complications. Specifically, the feet are supposed to point straight when in the pedals. Generally speaking, the toes ought not point outward or inward, as this can put strain on the foot, potentially aggravating plantar fasciitis. Additionally, biking with a saddle that is positioned at an incorrect height can also increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Oftentimes, the saddle is positioned far too low, which can prohibit the legs from fully extending when cycling. If you are a cyclist, it might be a good idea to contact a podiatrist to help you determine how to avoid developing or aggravating plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from Barry University Foot and Ankle Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Beach, and Tamarac, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The main issue of pregnancy affecting a woman’s feet and ankles is swelling or edema. Unfortunately, this is common and results due to hormonal changes, the production of extra blood during pregnancy, fluid retention, and circulation problems. The degree of swelling one will experience depends on various factors, such as the season of pregnancy, length of time spent on one’s feet, tightness of clothing or shoes, and time of day. Increases in progesterone slow down digestion which can lead to more fluid being absorbed in the large intestine and fluid retention. This hormone also slows down circulation and relaxes blood vessels making it easier for fluid to build up in the feet. Edema in pregnancy usually happens during the 3rd trimester, however, it can start earlier depending on the other factors discussed above. Often the swelling will continue until after birth and goes away within a few days or weeks after delivery. There is generally nothing to worry about with this type of swelling but sometimes it can signal more serious complications, like preeclampsia or deep vein thrombosis. If you have any questions as to what is normal with edema in the lower extremities during pregnancy, consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose any abnormal conditions or set your mind at ease.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with one of our podiatrists from Barry University Foot and Ankle Institute. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Beach, and Tamarac, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic patients commonly suffer from nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy and circulatory problems in their feet. Nerve damage can cause tingling, numbness, and sensitivity, and also prevent the diabetic from feeling pain or detecting when they have a cut, crack, or another small abrasion on their feet. Any disturbance in the skin such as this would normally be able to heal, were it not for the inadequate flow of blood in the diabetic patient. So even the smallest undetected skin injury can worsen quickly and develop into a wound because it is not getting the supply of oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal. That is why it is vitally important for diabetics to inspect their feet daily and to see a podiatrist right away if anything unusual is spotted. Regular examinations with a podiatrist would be advantageous to the diabetic to prevent wounds from developing as well as be proactive about their foot health. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Barry University Foot and Ankle Institute. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Beach, and Tamarac, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

As toddlers are learning to walk, their gait may be characterized as duck-footed, or out-toeing. This happens when they walk with their toes pointing outward rather than forward. In many children, this way of walking is temporary. A child will often outgrow this by age six to eight years of age. However, sometimes it can persist into adolescence, or even adulthood, and can lead to more serious complications. Out-toeing is a type of torsional deformity and usually occurs when one of the leg’s two longest bones (the tibia, located between the knee and ankle, and the femur, located between the hip and knee) turn towards the outside of the leg, causing the foot to jut out. This condition can occur in one or both legs. Most often, the child does not experience pain or discomfort with this condition, and it does not affect their mobility. Parents might see that their kid’s shoes wear out or have more obvious scuff marks on the outer edges of the shoes if the child is duck-footed. Causes of out-toeing include genetics, fetal position of the legs in the uterus prior to birth, the resting position of the legs during infancy, and being flat-footed. Rarer reasons for this condition are congenital bone deformity or a hip condition, called slipped capital femoral epiphysis, that causes the ball at the top of the femur to slip backwards. If you are concerned about your child’s gait or you notice that they are experiencing pain, imbalance, or instability when walking, see a podiatrist who can alleviate your concerns or provide treatment options to consider.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Barry University Foot and Ankle Institute. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Beach, and Tamarac, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.